Mercedes-Benz opens a new battery plant in Bibb County, Alabama, a few months ahead of the start of production of all-electric Mercedes-EQ vehicles in the United States (U.S.).
Mercedes-Benz will produce the EQS SUV and EQE SUV in its plant in Alabama, as part of a global push to produce all-electric vehicles at seven locations on three continents. The battery factory in Bibb County will provide batteries for the new EQS SUV and the EQE SUV.
Bibb County added to global battery production network
Production of the lithium-ion batteries for the EQS SUV and EQE SUV is CO2-neutral. Using a fully digitalized production process, a variety of components are combined, including up to twelve cell modules and the so-called EE compartment, for the integration of the power electronics.
With the new plant, Bibb County becomes part of the Mercedes-Benz global battery production network which stretches factories on three continents. Mercedes-Benz is investing more than one billion Euros in the development of the global battery production network.
New strong battery partnership enables ramp-up of Mercedes-EQ SUVs in Tuscaloosa
Mercedes-Benz will be ready to go fully electric by the end of the decade – wherever market conditions allow. To reach its target the company, together with partners, plans to build eight cell factories worldwide with a production capacity of 200 Gigawatt hours by the end of the decade. Mercedes-Benz will expand its partnerships with the leading battery technology companies.
In order to localize important suppliers, Mercedes-Benz is partnering with battery technology company Envision AESC. Envision AESC will supply the Mercedes-Benz battery factory in Bibb County with high-performance battery modules from a new plant within the U.S., supplies will commence from mid of the decade.
The new EQS SUV
With its world premiere on April 19th, the new EQS SUV will be the first all-electric luxury SUV and the third model based on Mercedes-Benz’s dedicated electric vehicle architecture.
The interior design pursues digitalization, expressed by the optional MBUX Hyperscreen, first launched in the EQS sedan. This 56-inch curved screen sweeps nearly the entire width of the vehicle cabin. The MBUX Hyperscreen includes the instrument cluster, infotainment and passenger display.
Sustainability
Mercedes-Benz is equally focused on recycling. With a view to the future return of lithium-ion battery systems from Mercedes-EQ vehicles, the company is expanding its global battery recycling strategy. Mercedes-Benz is starting to build its own battery recycling plant in Germany, based on hydrometallurgy. Analogue to this technology, the company plans to close the recyclable material loop with high-tech partners for battery recycling in China and the U.S..
Additionally, Mercedes-Benz has entered into a five-year partnership with The Nature Conservancy to support the Working Woodlands site in northeast Alabama. This also includes the protection of wildlife. The long-term project also contributes to the fulfilment of Mercedes-Benz’s sustainable business strategy “Ambition 2039” to have a CO2-neutral vehicle fleet by 2039.